If your startup uses contractors to carry out crucial tasks, you need to ensure their safety. Even though they aren’t your employees, you still have a duty of care to them. Of course, picking the right contractors in the first place is crucial too.
By selecting the wrong people for the job, you could be putting the safety of your own employees (and your business) at risk. If you’re hoping to get the most out of your contractors, you need to give them the right resources in order to feel safe. Let’s go over a few of these now.
Equipment training
Contractors often get involved with heavy, dangerous tools. Before you let them even step foot in somewhere like a building site, you need to provide them with sufficient training. Ensure they are aware of the dangers of each piece of equipment they’ll be required to use.
If you can, observe them using it safely before you let them get on with the job. Contractors will be grateful you’ve taken the time to assist them properly and feel more confident to carry out the task at hand.
Site security
For those who are working on big outdoor sites, security can often be an issue. There are companies like Tag Systems that can provide security in a case like this. By incorporating cameras and added protection to your site, you can ensure the safety of your contractors.
Of course, you’ll also be protecting the expensive equipment at the site as well. By implementing security measures, there will be no reason for your contractors to feel hesitant about doing their work.
Constant communication
You want to be constantly talking to your contractors from time to time. Instead of letting them get on with the job, try and spend a few minutes every day catching up with them. If they’ve got any concerns, they’ll be able to relay them to you before they get out of hand.
Also, you’ll be in a better position to know how well they’re getting on with the job. If you can spare the time to improve your communication, it’ll make things much easier for both of you in the long run.
Implement effective health & safety procedures
The most important way of ensuring the safety of your contractors is to have an effective health and safety program in place. You need to be constantly on the lookout for any potential hazards before they become an issue.
Maintain records of any near-misses or injuries that occur, and take measures to ensure they never happen again. You need to be on top of this, so ideally you want someone who can dedicate themselves to this task on a regular basis. You can find out more about health and safety legislation at healthyworkinglives.com.
Just because you’re hiring someone as a contractor, doesn’t mean you can afford to neglect their well-being. By putting the right procedures in place, you can ensure they feel confident and prepared to do the best job they can.